A Shot of Sin (11 page)

Chapter Fourteen

Shay spent days
realizing what was at stake
. She thought getting through Tuesday to Thursday had been harrowing. Her body no longer ached from the sex high of the weekend. And the hours spent away from Leo, when he was only mere meters away, gave her doubts time to multiply. Yet Friday night was worse.

She was working the main Shot of Sin bar, as usual, passing the time by trying to send Leo telepathic messages to come see her. Only he didn’t. Not in the four hours since the club opened, or any other time during the past three days.

Her aggression had grown to a fever pitch. She was pissed off to the point of shaking, and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t stop the ache in her chest demanding her to go in search of her damn annoying boss.

She didn’t need space. She needed encouragement. Grounding. Maybe a little attention to relieve her apprehension. Now, after almost a week spent on the razor’s edge of trepidation, she wasn’t sure how she’d hold back her frustration when they finally did come face to face.

“Raspberry and vodka in a tall glass, please.”

You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.

Shay ground her teeth at the same loner who came to her bar every damn week. He needed to learn that pretty pink drinks were never going to get him laid. Breathing deep, she grabbed a short glass from the tray, filled it and slid it toward him with a scowl.

“This isn’t what I ordered,” he frowned, raising his voice over the heavy bass music.

“No, it’s not.” Shay pointed to the scotch and dry in front of him. “This is what us bartenders like to call a man’s drink.” She paused, waiting for his ire. When none came, she smiled—all teeth and no charm. “That’s all I’ll be serving you from now on. So drink up or find someone else to fill your order.”

A scowl marred his usually smooth brow, yet he still handed over payment.

His inability to stick up for himself pissed her off even more. She was beyond frustrated. At the loner. At herself. And most of all, at Leo. He’d wrecked her, turning her into a pathetic, weak and second-guessing Nancy.

Her heart thumped in her chest. The strain from the previous week hit her with full force. “I’m not finished.” The words spilled out without her control. “You’re also going to undo the top button of your straight-laced shirt, ruffle the fuck outta your nerdy hair, and for the love of God, walk around with a little pride. Stop sulking like you’re handing over your balls every time you ask a woman if she wants a drink. You hear me?”

Her throat dried and her hands shook as she tried in vain to pull herself together. This was all Leo’s fault. He was ignoring her. Flicking her away like a used candy wrapper. Not even sparing a moment to call, or send a freaking text message.

“Fucking asshole,” she muttered and cringed when the customer’s now angry gaze drifted past her shoulder.

“Shay.”

She stiffened at the authoritative tone. Christ. The last thing she needed was Brute and all his heartless arrogance.

“Storeroom. Now,” he growled.

She straightened her shoulders and swung around, not bothering to acknowledge her boss’s existence before trudging away. As soon as they were alone in the small room, she began to crumple, her eyes burning with despised weakness.

“What’s your problem?” he asked without inflection.

She didn’t know how he contained himself. How he held all his feelings inside, never to be seen. Clearly, she didn’t have his strength. “Nothing.”

He raised a brow. That was all it took, a haughty, impatient brow telling her to hurry up and spill.

“You know I slept with Leo.” There, she’d admitted it. Now she didn’t have to pretend like her emotions weren’t on the spin cycle anymore. Professionalism be damned, she was a woman with a bruised ego, everyone prepare for hysterics.

“Yeah, I know.”

She waited, for something, anything, only he continued to stand there with his haughty brow.

“Well, he’s avoiding me.” She threw her hands up in frustration. “I’m introduced to all the secrecy downstairs, he comes to my rescue when some guy follows my car, he takes me home and fucks me silly, vowing he wants to be with me. Then all of a sudden, I don’t exist.”

She paused, hoping for comfort she knew better than to expect. The longer Brute remained quiet, the more worthless she felt. “If he made a mistake, fine,” she lowered her voice in defeat. “He just needs to tell me. Not to keep dragging me along for days. Man up and let me have it.”

“I told him to give you space,” Brute drawled.

“You what?”

His gaze hardened, piercing her with annoyance. “I warned you a long time ago to stay away from Leo. You didn’t listen, now you need to step back and realize what will happen when this doesn’t work out.”

When, not if.

“I’m aware I’ll lose my job.”

“Yeah. You will,” he said without regret. “But what about Leo? What about Vault of Sin?”

She frowned, suddenly defensive. “What about it?”

“You’re strong, Shay, but you’re also a temperamental bitch at times, and quick to fly off the handle. If you leave here in a snit, how do we know you won’t blab our secrets to the world?”

She jerked back as if he’d slapped her. “I wouldn’t do that.”

“Maybe not.” He shrugged. “I’m not convinced you’d leave amicably though. Then there’s Leo. He’ll drop the ball at work, and T.J. and I will have to pick up the slack. It’ll increase the popularity downstairs because he’ll start plowing through the women like he’s on death row, but it won’t make my job easier.”

Her heart shot to her throat at the image of Leo surrounded by a sea of naked women, all of them vying for his attention. “You’re such a bastard.”

“Just proving my point, sweetheart. You’re the jealous type. And I think knowing he’s currently downstairs at a private party would be enough to spark you into a rage.”

The heart in her throat stopped beating and plummeted to the base of her stomach. “You’re lying.”

What had she done to deserve this from Brute? She’d always respected him, had even gone to him for advice because he didn’t disguise the truth with bullshit. Finding out their friendship was a one-way street was just another kick in the teeth.

“Why would I bother?” The lack of sentiment in his eyes told her he was telling the truth. “It’s an intimate party and the host specifically requested Leo to be the overseer. Apparently, I’m not chummy enough with the patrons.” He smirked, showing pride in his asshole reputation. “And T.J. isn’t known for his participation.”

Shay clenched her stomach to stop herself from doubling over. “He should’ve told me,” she whispered. Leo had promised fidelity, and she would take him at his word, but picturing him surrounded by temptation and easy offerings made her second-guess everything—her confidence, her job, even their future together.

“He can’t start asking you for permission to do his job.”

She gulped in a breath and nodded. He was right. It didn’t stop her feeling betrayed though. Leo had told her last week that she could never go downstairs without him. Would the demand ever run both ways?

“Shay.” Brute softened his tone. “It’s not too late to change your mind. Go home. Think things through. If you decide you don’t want to be with him, then we’ll shuffle the shifts around so you don’t have to work together for a while. It’ll blow over in no time, and work can go back to the way it’s always been.” He pinned her with his stare. “Things won’t be as easy once the two of you become close.”

“And what if I can’t walk away?”

Brute looked at her with sympathy, the first heartfelt emotion she’d ever seen cross his face. “Then we all take it a day at a time.”

She gave a derisive chuckle. “This isn’t a group relationship.”

He stood silent for a long moment, the heavy beat of bass echoing the thump of her heart. “You haven’t thought this through, because you’re not seeing the bigger picture. I don’t think you realize what a life with Leo will mean.”

“I’m sure I don’t.” He’d surprised her enough already. “But isn’t my willingness to try a good indication of where my heart’s at?”

“Go home, Shay. Picture your future with him from every angle.” He stepped forward and briefly squeezed her shoulder. “And don’t worry if you aren’t ready for tomorrow night. If you don’t show up, I’ll know you need more time.”

She rolled her eyes, trying to lessen the tension in the room. “You’re just driving me away so you get to spend more time downstairs with the ladies.”

“Bloody oath.” He smirked, yet the jubilation soon faded. “We don’t want to lose you.”

The sorrow in his voice cut deep, and finally she understood how a woman could’ve broken him so badly. “It’s because of Vault of Sin, isn’t it?” she spoke almost to herself. His harshness, the reaction to her being with Leo, it was all because of the way one of his previous lovers had treated him.

“What do you mean?” His voice regained its emotionless tone.

Shay gazed up into his blue eyes, noticing for the first time the tiny gray flecks around his pupils. She wanted to run a hand through the blond, chin-length hair combed back from his face or gently glide her palm along the light beard covering his chiseled jaw.

Without the damaged soul, he could be a gorgeous man. Only he wore his hatred like a shield, rarely smiling or softening the bitterness from his features. It would take a strong woman to heal him, and she hoped one day he would find her.

“Nothing,” she murmured.

“Okay.” He shrugged. “I’ll let the rest of the staff know you’re knocking off early.”

She nodded as he turned to the door and slid it open. “Hey, Brute…”

He paused and glanced over his shoulder.

“You’re not as heartless as you want us all to believe.”

He laughed without humor. “Think what you like, sweetheart. But I assure you, I’m only looking out for myself.”

Then he was gone, leaving Shay to shrink under the weight of her thoughts.

Chapter Fifteen

Leo was pacing. Well, in reality he was sitting at the empty Vault bar, rubbing his forehead, wishing away his headache. But in his mind, he was climbing the walls. He couldn’t stop. He was mentally exhausted, his body not equipped to handle this relationship bullshit.

Why did fucking someone on a regular basis have to be so complicated? He released a bark of laughter. If only this thing with Shay was mere fucking. But no, he had to go and get his emotions involved. He had to fall for her.

The last four days had been a nightmare. He’d sequestered himself in the back office, thinking the distance from the bar would make it easier for him to stay away. And it had been…until he’d remembered all the video feeds from the club could be accessed from his laptop. Then his working week had been shot to hell.

He’d watched her. For hours.

When the call for the private party had come through, he’d jumped at the opportunity to get away from his computer. Then he’d spent every hour downstairs wishing he was back behind his desk. Nothing took his mind off Shay, and now Saturday night had arrived, he wasn’t sure how it would end.

A click sounded behind him, and he tilted his head to better hear the door opening from the main staircase. His heart beat in a crescendo, building with force until his chest pounded. He listened for the footfalls, hoping to hear the soft steps of Shay. He even held his breath, until the thudded stride informed him it wasn’t the person he wanted.

“She’s not here yet?” Brute asked.

Leo sighed and ran a hand down his face. “No. She’s still got time though.”

Last week, she’d said she’d arrive early, yet the seconds were ticking by. It was only forty-five minutes before guests would start to arrive.

Brute slid onto the stool beside him and stared straight ahead. “Don’t hold your breath, buddy.”

“Why?” Leo turned. “Do you know something I don’t?”

“She snapped last night and took her anger out on one of the customers. I ended up sending her home early.”

“Why wasn’t I told?” He tried unsuccessfully to curb the steel in his tone.

“You were busy down here…which she didn’t appreciate either.”

Leo turned back to the bar, slowly counting the liquor bottles to stop himself from snapping. “You told her where I was?”

“Was I meant to lie?”

He lowered his head into his hands and sighed. “No,” he muttered. “I just…”
Should’ve been the one to tell her.
“I want to see her.”
I need her to show up.

Christ. He had to shuffle on the stool to make sure he still had a dick between his thighs. He’d never cared this much for a woman. Not outside the bedroom, anyway.

“Look, man, I know you want this to work out, and so do I, but she doesn’t have a clue about what to expect down here. I don’t think she’s even contemplated T.J. or my involvement.”

“We were meant to be taking things slow. I didn’t want to scare her off.”

“Well, she’ll be fucking frightened once she sees me naked. Ain’t no woman gonna forget a package that big in a hurry.”

Leo shook his head and grinned. “Too bad you don’t know what to do with it.”

“Sounds like jealousy, bro.” Brute wiggled his fingers in Leo’s ponytail.

“Fuck off.” He slapped the hand away with a chuckle, yet the humor quickly faded. His buddy was trying his best to cheer him up, and Leo appreciated it, only he’d been stuck in this sullen mood all week. Now time was running out, and his gut told him Shay wasn’t going to show.

“I know I’ve been tough on you about this,” Brute murmured into the quiet. “But I like Shay.”

The hair on Leo’s neck stiffened. His friend didn’t admit to feelings. Ever. He didn’t share or express affection. His admiration of women was only ever shown in the way his gaze raked their body, or how he went to great efforts to bring them pleasure. No words were ever spoken, because then they could be held against him.

“Stop bristling, lover boy. I’m not after your woman. I just wanted to keep an eye out for her. You strutted around the restaurant on Tuesday with your dick leading the way. I was hoping the days apart would give you both time to think clearly.”

Leo released the breath tightening his lungs. “My thoughts are as clear as they’re gonna get, so can you let me take it from here now?”

“Sure thing.” Brute slid from the stool. “I didn’t push the issue about the non-disclosure during the week. So I’ll bring it down later in the hopes she turns up.”

Leo nodded, not convinced she would. “Thanks.”

“Keep your head up.” Brute began to walk from the main room. “You look like a pussy when you mope.”

Shay had been standing in the dim light above the back entrance to Vault of Sin for over ten minutes. She wasn’t going to back out. Getting in the car to drive here had been the hard part. She just wasn’t entirely sure how to convince her finger to ring the bell on the control panel beside the door.

“This is work,” she muttered to herself. “Nothing more.”

Delusional much?

She may still be pissed off. Still angry as fuck at holding the weaker hand in whatever sexed-up game they were playing. But she was here for Leo. Plain and simple. Her feelings for him were too strong to ignore.

No matter how many times she contemplated the worst-case-scenario outcome—the loss of her job, the hit to her confidence and the possible risk of utter humiliation—her heart continued to thump in a yearning beat. She needed Leo, and she was here to take a chance on any possible future with him. No matter how freakishly scary it was.

“Now you just have to press the goddamn button.” She raised a shaky hand, held her breath and rammed her fingertip into the bell.

She ignored the small camera panel above the button and lowered her gaze to the shiny black heels she wore. Inwardly she cursed herself for getting dressed up for tonight’s shift. Her bartender uniform consisted of a Shot of Sin tank, which she currently wore. But instead of the three-quarter casual pants or jeans she normally donned, she was wearing a fucking skirt and her finest underwear. It had taken a truckload of chocolate to pull the lacy shit up her legs, and even more to clasp the Wonderbra behind her back. And she’d done it for him—the guy who’d ignored her all week.

The thick, steel-plated door creaked open, making her heart stop, and Leo came into view in his black pristine pants and another freshly ironed shirt. His lips were a thin line, lacking emotion, yet his eyes blazed with something she didn’t want to determine. If he was angry she was a little late, he would have to deal with it.

He stood in silence, his gaze slowly raking her from head to toe and back again. Memories of last weekend heated her cheeks and she dulled the sudden spark of arousal with annoyance.

“Nice to see you again,” she muttered.

His jaw stiffened, his nostrils flared, and right when she thought he was about to put her in her place, he grabbed her wrist and yanked her inside, pushing her against the wall as he slammed the door shut with his fist.

“Leo—”

He cut off her protest with his lips, devouring her mouth, claiming her before the darkened staircase. After a week without him, she couldn’t maintain her anger. Her defenses crumpled, and she clung to him, kissing him back with equal fervor. His tongue entered her mouth, sliding against hers, drawing a moan from her throat.

This was what she wanted. Leo. Nothing else. No complications or expectations. Just him and her, together, enjoying one another. Then reality overcame her hormones and she remembered the distance he placed between them after every time they were intimate. She whimpered as she mustered the strength to push him away.

“Don’t.” She touched her lips with the tips of her fingers to stop them tingling.

“Shay.” He reached for her with anguish etched across his features.

“You’ve been ignoring me.”

He sighed and ran a rough hand through his hair, loosening the pony tail. “I told you, I was giving you time. And I owed it to T.J. and Brute to take this seriously. A lot is at stake.”

“And what was I owed?” She’d never sounded so fragile, her voice had never been so weak, yet she couldn’t strengthen her tone.

“The time to make up your own mind without me clouding your judgment.” He leaned against the opposite wall, his focus never leaving hers. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

“You were hurting me all week.”

“That wasn’t my intention. I’ve fucking missed you, Shay.” He pushed from the wall and bridged the distance between them to rest his pelvis against hers. “If you knew how hard this week has been for me, you wouldn’t still be shooting daggers my way.”

“You set the distance rule, so you kinda deserve it.” She softened her stare and gave him a weak smile. “Look, I know this will never be a conservative relationship. I’ve spent days coming to terms with that. But I’m here aren’t I?” She wriggled out from underneath him and took the first few steps backward, needing space to remain clearheaded.

“They want you to sign a non-disclosure.” He spoke as if it was the end of the world, waiting for her to become offended.

“Of course.”

He narrowed his gaze and followed her. “You’re unpredictable, you know that?”

She slid farther along the wall, sensing the heat radiating off him. “I aim to please.”

His predatory focus honed in on her eyes as he closed in on her, leaning her into the cold plaster. “And you deliberately wore a skirt to tempt me, didn’t you?”

Yes.
“Not at all.”

He laughed softly against her neck. “You’re a seductress.” He pulled back and rested his head against hers. “If you walk away, I’ll respect your wishes. I won’t chase you. But as long as you’re here, I’m not going to be able to keep my hands off you.”

She sucked in a breath at his raw possession. She itched to run her fingers under his shirt, to grind against the hardness in his pants. But the slightest touch would spark a fire she couldn’t sate, and she didn’t need to lose focus now. Not when she was meant to be working. “You need to increase your bipolar meds.”

The side of his lips quirked as he pressed his erection into her abdomen. “You need to tame that sassy mouth.”

“Or maybe you need to do it for me.” She bit her lip, wishing she hadn’t taunted him. “Come on. You need to show me around.” This was going to be a tough night if she was the one who had to push away his advances. All week it had been the opposite, and she had no clue which dynamic she preferred. Chasing a gorgeous man was common sense. Pushing him away was plain idiocy.

She ducked under his arm and continued down the hall, around the corner and came out at the side of the bar. The empty room seemed different in the harsh fluorescent light and the scent of sex no longer permeated the air.

Leo groaned behind her and followed her into the open space. “Fine. But just so you know, I plan on following you home again tonight.”

Shay kept her back to him, hiding her smile.

“We’ll start over here.”

She glanced over her shoulder and then turned to follow him into the first room along the side wall. She remembered it from last Saturday. The one with the large bed center stage.

Leo flicked on the light switch, and the tiny bulbs above the focal point twinkled to life. “My favorite room.”

She remembered the threesome from last week with vivid clarity. The way the men had caressed the woman with loving affection. Shay could still see them on the mattress, their legs tangled, their smiles bright.

“You obviously already know about the bathrooms.” He strode forward, pushed open the ladies door and reached inside to flick on the lights. Then he did the same with the males. “We’ve got cleaners who change the linens and restock everything. If you ever work down here again, all you have to do is adjust all the lighting. But either myself, T.J. or Brute will always be down here to help.” He strode past her to click on the bedside-table lamps.

“And what’s your role down here,” she asked.

He paused as he opened a drawer, and glanced over his shoulder. “Supervisor. Confidant. Sometimes instigator. Our role is to make sure everyone is comfortable and that no issues arise.” He raised a brow, waiting for her response.

Instead of voicing her opinion, she nodded and focused on the items in the drawer.

“The bedside tables are filled with supplies too—restraints, vibrators, lube. Condoms are used on the toys for hygiene reasons, but they’re also sterilized after every party.”

Shay winced and withheld a shudder.

He slammed the drawer shut and walked to her. “Come on. You don’t need to see the rest. I’ll help you set up behind the bar before everyone arrives.” He grabbed her hand in a gentle grip and led her back into the main room. He rubbed his thumb along her skin as they walked in silence, and her heart galloped at the simple gesture from a man more accustomed to sexual moves than sweet ones.

“You still good with this?” he asked, flicking off the fluorescent light beside the entrance to the bar and turning on the dimmer lights.

“I’m good.” Her voice was too chipper, too unrealistic.

He slowed to a stop, turned to face her and backed her into the counter behind the bar. His lips tilted, his eyes dancing in the darkness. “You’re shitting yourself.”

She rolled her eyes at his attempt to put her at ease. “Well, not literally.”

“There’s the sass I was looking for.”

“I thought you wanted me to leash my sassiness?” She raised a brow in defiance.

He leaned closer, licking his bottom lip. “It’s endearing in an annoying sort of way.”

“I could say the same about you.”

His grin continued to grow as he bridged the distance between them and brushed his mouth against hers. “That fucking perfume is driving me wild.”

Score one to Calvin Klein.

His lips were forceful as his tongue entered her mouth. He played with her, coaxing her into murmurs of lust, making her clench her thighs together. He grasped her hips, lifted her onto the counter beside the beer taps and spread her knees apart. Then he slid his hands up her thighs, under her skirt and lowered her lace G-string.

“Leo,” she warned, pulling back to brace her hands on the cool counter top as she sucked in ragged breaths.